Tomorrow, Wednesday March 27, is National Paella Day celebrating a food filled with tradition and always cooked in a round, flat-bottomed pan with handles.
The dish takes its name from the Latin word ‘patella’, meaning a flat plate on which offerings were made to the Gods.
Cooking over an open flame is essential as it creates the layer of toasted rice at the bottom of the pan, that is deliciously unique to paella.
Did you know paella is traditionally eaten on a Thursday? Why? On Mondays, fishermen would bring in the fish so it could be sent all over Spain and distributed. Because it was hard to move the day’s catch, this took almost two days – restaurants would get the fish on Wednesdays and the next day they would make paella for their customers.
Here are five of our favourite Spanish venues to get your paella fix tomorrow:
Flavours of Spain
Enjoy the flavours of Spain without leaving Albury at Saludos restaurant on Dean Street. Serving Spanish-inspired tapas, paella and sangria with a modern twist, settle into the alfresco laneway on bench seating under exposed brick while sipping a glass of Malbec; or dine indoors where polished wood floors, cane pendent lights and potted greenery create a warm and welcoming vibe.
Say hola to small plates such as lamb ragu empanadillas, romesco and paprika aioli, before devouring a signature combination paella, with chicken, chorizo, calamari, prawn and lemon, washed down with a house Sangria.
Unique Shared Dining Experience
Expect a unique shared dining experience taking you on a culinary journey like no other at 520 Macaulay Road in Kensington. A rustically chic interior of exposed brick, recycled timber and potted greenery awaits Melburnians looking for good vibes and good food; from classic recipes to new-age kitchen adventures, each dish reflects a passion for high-quality food presented simply yet pleasingly.
Dive right in with tapas offerings like Spanish-style meatballs and a toasted baguette, or garlic prawn and chorizo, cooked in white wine and served with toast; dine on Wednesday and Thursday for Paella Night with a choice of seafood, chicken and chorizo or vegetarian.
Mobile Paella Catering
A mobile caterer specialising in paella, find Spanish food trailer Paella Bar at events, celebrations, festivals and markets around Adelaide. Freshly made onsite using only the finest ingredients, this paella has been perfected over years to create the perfect bowl of ‘yum’ to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters; all the savoury paellas are also gluten, dairy, soy and nut-free as well as being coeliac-friendly.
Perhaps order the crowd-pleasing favourite chicken and chorizo with capsicum and onion, or chow down on seafood paella with prawns, squid and mussels; vegetarians and vegans are catered for with options like pumpkin, mushroom, baby spinach, green beans and cherry tomatoes.
Andalusian Culinary Influence
Discover plates influenced by the peasant food of Andalusia, Southern Spain and the Muslim Mediterranean at Anada Restaurant & Bar on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. Step into a rustic vibe of exposed brick, recycled timber and moody lighting or perch on a stool at the well-stocked bar to enjoy a pre-dinner drink while perusing a menu championing local farmers, producers and providers as often as possible.
Graze on tapas plates such as grilled octopus and sobrasada dressing, or pan-seared scallops and caper brown butter; then chow down on special paella offerings like honey-glazed pork belly, or prawns, squid and scallops.
Barcelonan Tapas Influence
Inspired by the vibrant tapas scene of Barcelona’s streets, come and discover why Del Punto on St Pauls Street is Randwick’s favourite cocktail bar and restaurant. Soak up the atmosphere and try delicious tapas with everything from just a bite to decadent feasting menus; perfect for date nights, big celebrations and all occasions, this venue is in the heart of The Spot and only a few minutes from Coogee Beach.
Begin your culinary journey with slow-cooked beef empanadas with caramelised onion and jalapeño feta dipping sauce; then opt for made\-to-order classic Spanish paella with seafood, chicken pinchos and chorizo.
